Research Assistant (Job ID: 2026-3891)

Join one of the most influential, most quoted, and most trusted think tanks! 

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, D.C. Our mission is to equip decision-makers with nonpartisan research and policy strategies to create a more prosperous and secure country and world. 

To advance our mission, we are committed to the following four goals: 

• Develop economic growth strategies for a changing world 

• Expand economic and social opportunity for all 

• Revitalize U.S. democratic institutions 

• Advance peace and security worldwide 

At the core of our mission is the quality, independence, and impact of our research. We are dedicated to finding bold, pragmatic solutions for societal challenges through open-minded inquiry, diverse perspectives, and holding ourselves to the highest standards of scholastic rigor. 

Beyond the pursuit of excellence and intellectual rigor, Brookings places immense value on creating a supportive and collaborative environment where every individual can do their best work, learn, and grow. Because of this, Brookings has been at the forefront of public policy for more than a century. 

More information about being a research assistant in Economic Studies may be found here.

• Work closely with senior scholars, prepare and revise programming code, simulation macros, and regression estimates.

• Analyze data, using statistical software (e.g. Stata, R) and spreadsheets.

• Prepare tables and graphs output from model simulations.

• Assemble, consolidate, update, and check data from new sources and existing databases.

• In collaboration with senior research staff, draft material summarizing research results on specific topics as assigned, for incorporation into working papers and project publications.

• Provide analytical reviews and summaries of existing literature pertinent to the projects.

• Locate and collect relevant documents and data from sources such as electronic databases, libraries, and government publications.

• Compile, read, abstract, and organizes written material into bibliographic form and summaries.

• Maintain electronic bibliography files.

• Assist with special projects and perform other duties as assigned. 

• Update web pages in support of the scholar’s area of interest.

• Write and edit summaries to be posted on pages relating to scholar's work.

• Gather related bibliographic, link, and current event information in support of pages to be created for a scholar's topic area.

• Work with ES communications team to prepare, lay out, and post scholar’s work for publication on the web site.

• Coordinate with ES communications team on scholar’s publication schedule.

• Assist designated scholar(s) with event preparation and logistics as needed.

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Economics, Mathematics/Statistics, or Public Policy; or a bachelor's degree in another social science field with a minor in Economics by summer 2027.

• Ability to undertake research assignments with an appropriate level of supervision.

• Experience with software such as STATA, R, or other econometric packages.

• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

• Research experience in economics, policy research, and/or computer-based research, which may include experience gained through part-time work, work in a college setting, or internships.

• Experience working with large datasets and models.

• Independent research experience.

• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

Applications will be accepted until October 16, 2026. Please read and follow all application procedures carefully.Each center may follow a different selection process, which may include a skills assessment, an interview, or both. Applicants may be contacted by multiple centers.

Applications will be reviewed after the deadline and only applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted. We expect to complete selections by mid-November.

A complete application must include ALL of following items:

• Resume

• Cover letter

• A copy of your unofficial undergraduate transcript (and a graduate transcript if applicable)

  • If you are submitting an international transcript, please be sure to include a Grade Key

• Two letters of recommendation from professors or past employers/supervisors (at least one letter of recommendation should be academic, the second can be academic or professional).Please have your recommenders send their letters directly to Jennifer Ambrosino at jambrosino@brookings.edu.

Please review our FAQs here. If you have additional questions, contact Jennifer Ambrosino - jambrosino@brookings.edu

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What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous time off, and workplace flexibility. For more information, please visit Brookings Benefits.   

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings. 

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms, including diversity of experience, thought, and personal background.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. All selection decisions are based upon merit, skills, abilities and experience.